ABA Opposes Bill Requiring Suspicious-Activity Reports by Lawyers

American Bar Association President Hilarie Bass says a proposed anti-money laundering bill would undermine attorney-client privilege and impose “burdensome and intrusive regulations” on small businesses and their legal representation, the ABA Journal reports. Bass made the statement in a letter to the Senate Judiciary Committee, adding that the ABA commends lawmakers for fighting money laundering and supports “reasonable and necessary domestic and international measures to fight these illicit activities.” The bill would require lawyers to make suspicious-activity and money-laundering reports to the government.